Patient Resource Specialist

High Country Community Health•Morganton, NC

9d•$19 - $22

About The Position

Patient Resource Specialists (PRS) evaluate and maintain continuity of care as members of the clinical care team within High Country Community Health’s Patient Centered Medical Home model. They assess patients’ health needs, identify barriers to following treatment recommendations, help patients understand their care plans, and connect patients with community resources and other supports. The PRS coordinates follow-up outpatient visits after hospital discharge, facilitates communication among care-team members, supports patients’ participation and self-advocacy, and advocates for quality care. The role also includes developing working relationships with community agencies, services, businesses, and facilities; participating in team huddles and treatment meetings; representing HCCH at community events; and transporting consumers to and from HCCH appointments as needed and when available. The PRS supports patients with needs such as housing, nutrition, medication, legal aid, transportation, finances, employment, and daily-life management. Work takes place in medical offices and exam rooms, with occasional home visits, community events, and off-site meetings. The role involves frequent contact with a variety of people and occasional exposure to communicable diseases, biohazards, and other clinic-related conditions.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with an appropriate degree relevant to the role, or an equivalent relevant combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively in a team setting.
Valid North Carolina driver’s license and good driving record.
Ability to use computer hardware and software, including Microsoft Office Suite and an electronic health record.

Nice To Haves

A social work degree is preferred.
A minimum of two years’ experience in a behavioral health and/or medical setting, with Qualified Professional (QP) status, is preferred.

Responsibilities

Evaluate and maintain continuity of care as part of the clinical care team.
Conduct new-patient orientations and comprehensive assessments of patients’ health needs.
Identify and discuss potential barriers to following treatment guidelines and help patients understand treatment recommendations and plans.
Coordinate follow-up outpatient visits at hospital discharge.
Educate patients and clinicians about barriers to health improvement, community resources, insurance benefits, and other decision-making supports.
Represent HCCH at community events such as health fairs.
Discuss consumers’ care plans with clients, families, and professionals as needed.
Facilitate communication and coordination among members of patients’ care teams.
Involve patients in decision-making, problem-solving, and exploring options to improve care.
Assist patients with safely transferring care information among settings.
Advocate for quality care and encourage patients to advocate for their own needs.
Develop and maintain working relationships with community agencies, services, businesses, and facilities.
Provide patients with information and assistance to access community resources, including support related to housing, nutrition, medication, legal aid, transportation, finances, employment, and daily-life management.
Participate in daily team huddles and weekly treatment team meetings.
Respond to care-team requests to assist patients.
Transport consumers to and from HCCH appointments as needed and as available.